Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review

2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 Sedan

Long a favorite in the midsize luxury sport sedan segment, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has provided comfort, performance and safety for decades. The trademark qualities of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, such as vaultlike solidity and leading-edge technology, have also contributed to the E-Class's great popularity among luxury sedan and wagon buyers.

With a breadth of variants in both body styles, ranging from fuel-efficient diesels to ultra-high-performance AMG models, there's usually an E-Class well-suited for anyone -- provided they have the financial resources to own one, of course. Through the years, V6-powered models such as the E320 and E350 have offered respectable performance along with respectable fuel efficiency, while V8 models such as the E430, E500 and E550 have delivered truly autobahn-worthy driving dynamics.

The overall design of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been understated yet elegant. The interiors of the early models were comfortable but hardly lavish. Only with the more recent models have the cabins grown luxurious, with generous helpings of leather, wood and chrome trim throughout.

The chief long-standing rival to the E-Class is its countryman, the BMW 5 Series. Although the E-Class typically offers comparable performance, the Bimmer remains the better choice for serious driving enthusiasts due to its more communicative steering and chassis.

Current Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Introduced in 2003, the current Mercedes-Benz E-Class sports classy and aggressive styling, with a rising beltline that gives the car a stance like that of a crouching feline. Currently, the sedans come in four trim levels: the turbodiesel E320 Bluetec (208 horsepower), the gasoline V6-powered E350 (268 hp), the V8-powered E550 (382 hp) and the pavement-scorching E63 AMG, which boasts a 507-hp, 6.3-liter V8. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system can be had on the E350 and E550 sedans. E-Class wagons are offered in E350 4Matic and E63 AMG trims. All models are equipped with an automatic transmission. Rear-drive E-Class cars have seven-speed automatics, while the 4Matics have five-speed units.

All E-Class trims come with all the expected luxuries, such as a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, leather seating, power front seats and a powerful audio system. Moving up through the trim levels adds features such as adaptive air suspension and four-zone climate control. Of course the AMG versions have unique exterior styling and interior trim, sport seats, upgraded brakes and a sport-tuned Airmatic suspension.

The performance of any Mercedes-Benz E-Class is impressive — the E320 Bluetec and E350 can each hit 60 mph in less than 7 seconds; the E550 sprints to that speed in around 5 ticks; and the AMG sedan will run it in well under 5. The handling and ride balance should please most folks, though hard-core enthusiasts may find all but the AMG too softly sprung for their tastes.

There are very solid reasons for the E-Class's popularity, namely strengths in every area that counts in this segment, such as luxury, performance, safety and prestige. That said, serious driving enthusiasts might want to also consider this Benz's archrival, the more athletic and communicative BMW 5 Series. And shoppers more concerned with purchase price should consider the Audi A6 or the Japanese luxury brand offerings, all of which offer comparable performance and luxury for considerably less money.

Past E-Class models

If you're looking for a used late-model Mercedes-Benz E-Class, there are a few points to keep in mind. The initial 2003 lineup consisted of the E320 sedan and wagon (221 hp) and the E500 sedan (302 hp). The wagon continued in previous-generation form for '03. Later that year, the E55 AMG sedan came on line with a 469-hp supercharged V8. The 2004 model year brought the "new" generation wagon, which could be had in both E320 and E500 versions. Mercedes also began offering the option of 4Matic all-wheel drive for both sedans and wagons. The 4Matic system was standard on the E500 wagon (which was discontinued after the '06 model year). In 2005, Mercedes added an E55 AMG wagon to the lineup, and for 2007, the AMGs were renamed E63 with the arrival of the larger V8 engine.

Also for '05, a diesel E-Class, the E320 CDI, returned to the family after a five-year hiatus. The E320 CDI was only available in 45 U.S. states due to stricter emissions standards in the remaining five states (California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont) but was quick for a diesel; it could run to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. In 2006, the gasoline E320 became the E350, the new name indicating a new 3.5-liter V6 making 268 hp. The E500 became the E550 for '07, marking the arrival of the current 5.5-liter V8.

The previous generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class ran from '96 to 2002. This generation initiated the marque's signature cue, the four ellipsoid headlights, which carried through to the current generation. Although a few inches longer than the car before it, this E-Class had basically the same chassis as its predecessor.

Offered at debut were sedans called the E300D diesel (134 hp), the E320 with an inline six-cylinder engine (217 hp) and the E420 V8 (275 hp). By '98, the diesel had gained a turbo and more power (174 hp), a wagon returned, 4Matic all-wheel drive was offered and the gasoline inline-6 was replaced by a 221-hp V6. The E420 also became the E430 via a slightly larger (4.3-liter) V8. The following year, the hot-rod E55 AMG with its 349-hp V8 bowed. Side curtain airbags came in '99, while the 2000 model year saw a revised cabin and front end, the exit of the diesel and more standard safety equipment (including stability control, as well as front and rear side airbags). Changes were minimal for the next couple of years.

Durable and well built, a second-generation E-Class from this generation should serve you well. As with any used car consideration, look for a complete and up-to-date maintenance history, since upkeep on an E-Class can be quite expensive (as with any German car).

The first-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (1986-'95) was praised for its excellent combination of performance and safety. At first, it was available with either an inline-6 (300E) or a turbodiesel (300D), with V8 power coming a few years later. In addition to the sedan, coupe and wagon versions were offered.

The 300E furnished strong performance for a midsize luxury sedan of its day -- zero to 60 mph took less than 8 seconds and top speed approached 140. Serious enthusiasts might be interested in the limited-edition 500E sedan, which packed a Porsche-designed 322-hp V8 and was offered from 1992-'94.

Still desirable and known for a long service life, a well-kept E-Class from this generation will nonetheless be a costly vehicle to own when repairs are required.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.